6.29.25
When I got up this morning, I was planning on just popping the kettle on for my first cup of tea, strolling down to pen the milk cows up in their dry paddock before I head down to milk Heidi later on – I open their gate to let them graze to their hearts content on a good 100 acres overnight. Then leisurely amble back to the house, put my tea on to brew and write a story. However, when I got closer to the milk barn, I could see a couple of visitors had taken up residence with Lass and Heidi. Two young bullocks that should be grazing on our neighbour’s land, had decided to take a walk-about and ended up in our farmyard. So pretty soon I shall make a call to the owners so they can come and return these wayward lads back where they belong. Although I must say, the young Red Angus chap is a fine looking fellow!
It is so hard to believe that in just two days time we will enter the month of July. It seems as if it was a mere fortnight ago when I was lamenting the fact my heart ablation procedure was scheduled three months down the road! Now here we are with it just five weeks away. Time is passing in great dollops all of a sudden and what a daunting thought that is.
The Fourth of July is this coming Friday and will see Darrell and me down in the village, our tent and tables set up in the city park where all manner of celebrations will take place. Once our wares are set out on display, I will leave things in Darrell’s hands while I take myself off to the ambulance bay for a bit to take part in the parade. Sitting in the front seat of the ambulance for a change I will throw sweeties out to the throngs of folks, young and old, that line the road around the park. This year we do not have a car ready to decorate and drive in the parade. Darrell’s truck does not have its new engine installed yet so will have to wait until next year to be part of this event.
Tomorrow is supposed to be a scorcher, over 100 degrees has been predicted. Thankfully, and let us hope the weatherman is right, by Friday we are supposed to drop down to a balmy 88 degrees. I will gladly take it! My soaps and lotions are not happy sitting out in temperatures that hit the triple digits. Darrell found a small cooler of his in the shop that will work perfectly to store my shampoo and conditioner bars while at markets this summer. I had been worried about them since they are designed to soften a little above body temperature! This way, they will stay cool and happy until purchased by a customer.
Yesterday, I had a lovely surprise. A big box of books arrived, a couple of days earlier than expected. I am excited to announce the fifth book in my Redneck Englishwoman series is here! You know, there is always something quite humbling about opening a box and seeing stacks of books inside with your name on the cover. It is rather surreal. Never in my wildest imaginings would I have thought I would write a book, let alone have folks out there wanting to read it! I remember the first time I opened the heavy box that arrived containing my very first published work, Diary of a Redneck Englishwoman. The overwhelming feeling of amazement that a distant dream of mine had finally come to fruition. I had that same feeling yesterday when I opened that box.
It has been a busy past week. We headed up to Irrigon on the Columbia River, where I taugh CPR classes to the folks at the fish hatchery, taking our little camper van with us as they let us stay in their compound overnight. It was an enjoyable trip but somehow a tiring one too. It was good to get home. This coming week will be awfully busy as well. I think that is why I so enjoy the early morning hours. Right now, a cool breeze wafts through the open windows of the house. Off in the distance I hear a turkey hen clucking to her brood of chicks. The several roosters down in the barnyard are crowing, each trying to outdo the others. Bonnie is asleep at Darrell’s feet while he sits in his chair sipping his morning coffee. My second cup of tea is on the brew and soon I will assemble the milker before heading down to relieve Heidi of her morning offering of creamy goodness.
Yes, sitting here quietly before the day’s work begins is a treasure, never to be taken lightly. A moment in time that is forever precious.
